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Pretenders

Play trailer Pretenders 2026 1h 47m Documentary Music Biography Play Trailer Watchlist
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Tomatometer 6 Reviews Popcornmeter 0 Ratings
Tough, stylish, and effortlessly cool, the Pretenders founder Chrissie Hynde is the real thing. Grounded in extensive interviews with Hynde and archival materials, Pretenders chronicles the evolution of one of rock's most singular icons.

Critics Reviews

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David Fear Rolling Stone Sep 15, 2026
Her songwriting chops are indisputable. So is the Pretenders’ legacy. The film’s got motion, and sometimes, too much restrained emotion, but you’ve got to consider the source. Go to Full Review Owen Gleiberman Variety Sep 15, 2026
As a rock star, Chrissie Hynde has always been a bit of a paradox... And Pretenders, Joss Crowley’s sensational and revealing music documentary, shows you that there was a paradox — a glorious one — built into her band. Go to Full Review Steve Pond TheWrap Sep 14, 2026
Joss Crowley gets away with “Pretenders” because he has some thrilling archival footage, and because Hynde and Chambers are always blunt and honest, even when they’re sometimes being evasive. Go to Full Review Stephen Saito Moveable Fest 1 day ago
A fascinating study in group dynamics. Go to Full Review Jason Gorber Next Best Picture Sep 21, 2026
7/10
It’s not an entirely satisfying journey in its detailing of the career of the band and its star, but there’s enough here to entertain even those completely unaware of their musical output. Go to Full Review Christopher Llewellyn Reed Film Festival Today Sep 13, 2026
3.5/5
The strength of the movie is in its careful, detailed laying out of events, even if the identity of some of the overlapping voices occasionally proves hard to remember. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Cast & Crew

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Joss Crowley

Director

Chrissie Hynde

Self

Martin Chambers

Self

Joss Crowley

Screenwriter

Joss Crowley

Producer

Ian Grenfell

Producer
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Pretenders

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Movie Info

Synopsis Tough, stylish, and effortlessly cool, the Pretenders founder Chrissie Hynde is the real thing. Grounded in extensive interviews with Hynde and archival materials, Pretenders chronicles the evolution of one of rock's most singular icons.
Director
Joss Crowley
Producer
Joss Crowley, Ian Grenfell, Dan Braun
Screenwriter
Joss Crowley
Production Co
Cross Keys Films
Genre
Documentary, Music, Biography
Original Language
English
Runtime
1h 47m
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